Shine On

"Do you bring a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear." Mark 4:21-23

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.

We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us;
It's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others. 

-Marianne Williamson                        

Mark 4 reminds me of this Marianne Williamson poem.  It comes to mind when I see "attention seekers".  Some post a load of selfies and I ask myself "why"? Is it inadequacy? Is it so you can constantly hear how beautiful you are? Because, inevitably, that is the result....same as the last time you posted one...and the time before. Are we constantly needing to seek approval from others? The answer is: YES! For whatever decision we make, we have an inner longing for others to say: "looks great", awesome job", "proud of you". There are times when that is encouraged, but when it is a constant draw....why?

Others selflessly pursue the happiness of others and feel powerless to do so. We may not be able to "change the world" as we would like, but we can do as Mark said, and as Marianne stated:

We can shine for others. We can liberate ourselves of our burdens and through our examples, liberate others, who choose to see it.

Don't worry about how you look, or how you dress, or what kind of car you have, or job you have to "impress" others. Instead, impress God with your heart. Don't let Jesus's sacrifice go in vain, by shrinking to what others want, or don't want to hear or believe.

SHINE ON for what you believe. You never know who make be enlightened by this. :)